Effects
Depression can lead to a variety of negative outcomes if not addressed. According to Harvard Medical School, depression causes changes the way we think. It is thought that because depression involves the interruption of certain neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, detrimental brain changes can occur.
The changes in the brain, as well as the triggers for depression, seem to have a negative impact on cognitive skills such as information processing, attention, decision-making, memory, and executive function. Because these changes affect our everyday quality of life, these impairments are highly crucial for us to avoid when possible. Awareness is key.
The Mayo Clinic asserts that complications such as premature death, self-mutilation and other forms of self-harm, suicide attempts, social isolation, and relationship problems can occur, especially if it is not treated. Other conditions such as obesity—which may lead to diabetes and heart disease—alcohol or drug abuse, panic disorder, and social phobia are also all possible negative outcomes of untreated depression.